William potteb



UNITED STATES IVILLIAM POTTER, OF

GRAP

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Application filed December 5, 1887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of Books and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a. part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has relation to that class of grapples for which a patent was granted to me July 5, 1887, No. 365,940, and is designed as an improvement thereon.

In the construction shown in my former patent there was no provision made for retaining the grapple-arms apart at differentdegrees of extension in order to adapt the device for use in bored wells, excavations, or other places where it is necessary to contract the width of the grapple to the size or width of the opening or excavation into which the grapple is to be lowered. To provide means for attaining this end I provide the arm of the grapple with a series of notches with which the end of the latch engages, whereby the degree of extension of the grapple-arms can be regulated. I have also found in practice that where the latch is connected to the arm below the pivot, as in my former patent, when the grapple is lowered on the object the latch would frequently strike it and prevent it from falling out of the notch, thus preventing the grapple from closing upon the object. To remedy this difiicultyIpivot the latch above the pivotal point of the arms, so that it will be out of the way and not come in contact with the object when the grapple is lowered thereon. In the accompanying drawings is shown a grapple constructed in accordance with myinvention and embodying the improvements above specified.

In referring to the drawing the grapple is shown closed in dotted lines and in an extended position, ready to be lowered on the object, in full lines, the arms A B being pivoted together ata,and each arm terminating in a claw, C, curved as shown. That portion of the arm A above the point of connection with the arm B is formed on a different plane, as shown at f, in order to enable a shorter latch to be used and to render it more effective. The

PATENT Urricm STOCKTON, KANSAS.

PLE.

Patent No. 380,405, dated April 3, 1888.

Serial No. 256,9S4. (No model.)

latch D is pivoted to the arm B, above the point Where the two arms are pivoted together, and has aweight, 0, to throw it out of engagement with the notch at when the grapple comes in contact with the object and hold it in an upright position out of the way. A series of these notches d are provided, so that the arms can be held extended to any degree, as found desirable, and a notch, c, is formed on the under edge of the arm A, in order to enable the latch to be used below the pivot, as in my former patent, said latch being detached and secured at gin a reversed position.

I reserve the right to modify in many respects the general construction of the device, so long as it embodies the essential features of my invention, the series of notches and the latch located above the pivotal point of the arms. The upper ends of the grapple-arms are provided with eyes 72, with which engage links *6, also engaging with a ring, it, for attaching a rope, Z, as in my former patent.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the grapple arms A B, pivoted together at o and formed with claws O, of the latch D, pivoted near its center to the arm B above the pivot a, and having its outer end beyond its pivot weighted, as at c, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The grapple described, consisting of the arms A B, formed with claws O and pivoted at a, the arm A above its point of connection with the arm B being formed on a different plane, as at f, and the upper face of said partf formed with a plurality of notches, d, the latch D, pivoted near its center to the arm B,above the pivot a,and its outer end weighted. as at c, and its inner end curved and arranged to engage the notches d, the links 2' on the upper ends of the arms, the ring it, and the rope Z, all arranged and operating substantially as shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

' ILLIAIW POTTER.

Witnesses L. B. POTTER, J E. CRANE. 

